The Whittley Cruisemaster 700 2007 vs Whittley CW1800 2008 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Whittley Cruisemaster 700 2007 measures 24,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Whittley CW1800 2008 at 17,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Whittley CW1800 2008 tips the scales at 1 544 lbs — 949 lbs less than the Whittley Cruisemaster 700 2007 at 595 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 320 hp, the Whittley Cruisemaster 700 2007 has a 185-hp advantage over the Whittley CW1800 2008's 135-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Whittley Cruisemaster 700 2007 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Whittley CW1800 2008 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Whittley Cruisemaster 700 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Whittley Cruisemaster 700 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Whittley CW1800 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.